Page 55 of Whispers of Helena
I place a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm. “Silas, you know I love you,” I whisper.
His smile is gentle and sure, like the man himself. “Then I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he says, his voice barely more than a breath. “Come on, let’s see if you and Merriweather are a match. Want to go for a ride?”
I nod, unable to keep from smiling. He presses a quick kiss to my forehead before handing me Merriweather’s reins. As I lead her out to the yard, Silas lingers behind, fetching Shadow. Together, we mount, and the horses carry us toward the tree line.
The air feels alive, crisp with the approaching twilight. When the trees part and the wide pastures unfold in front of us, I gently tug Merriweather to a stop, overcome by the sight. The landstretches endlessly, the tall grasses shimmering like waves under the last rays of sunlight.
Silas notices I’ve fallen behind and reins in Shadow, bringing him beside me. His brow furrows. “What are you thinking?” he wonders.
“That this land is beautiful,” I say, my voice thick with awe. “So alive.”
His gaze follows mine, and for a moment, he’s quiet, drinking in the sight. “This land is a part of me,” he says finally, his tone filled with something reverent. He turns back to me, his eyes holding the same promise as his words. “And it’ll be a part of you one day, too. Come on.”
With that, he digs his heel into Shadow’s flank and takes off. Merriweather and I chase after him, her stride sure and smooth as she matches Shadow’s pace.
At the stream on the western edge of the property, Silas pulls up and dismounts. I follow, breathless from the ride, and watch as he rummages through his saddlebag, producing two neatly folded blankets. He lays one on the ground and places the other aside before taking a seat.
As I make my way to the blanket, my fingers brush the cool grass, searching until they close around a lone dandelion. Its delicate white fluff trembles, barely holding strong in the evening breeze.
I lower myself onto the blanket and pat the empty spot beside me. Silas grins, his charm softening the edges of his rough exterior, and slides next to me.
Holding the dandelion between us, I tilt my head, smiling. “Make a wish, Mr. Hayes.”
His lips curve softly. We close our eyes for just a second, only long enough to press silent prayers into the universe. When we open them, we blow. The tiny seeds scatter like whispers floating on the breeze, carrying our hopes into the twilight sky.
I shift to face him, curiosity tugging at my lips. “What did you wish for?”
He doesn’t answer. Not with words.
Instead, his steady hands find my waist, and in one smooth motion, he pulls me into his lap. A startled laugh escapes me as my hands land on his shoulders, anchoring myself as I straddle his legs. His touch is comforting but strained, as if he’s afraid to let me slip away.
His voice drops, rough yet teasing. “Not supposed to say your wish, that’ll jinx it.” His thumb traces slow, absent-minded circles against my hip. “And I need all the luck I can get tonight, Miss Monroe.”
I don’t need to ask again.
I think I already know his wish.
The world feels still, the rushing stream and the distant hum of insects fading into the background as I peer down at him. His hands settle on my waist, but his easy smile carries the promises of a lifetime. There’s so much about him that feelssafe, so much that feels like home.
I curl my arms around his neck, my fingers slipping into the soft darkness of his hair. Slowly, I lean forward and press my lips to his, and his kiss is everything sweet and certain, a reflection of him.
Silas's thumbs trail over my cheeks, his eyes searching mine as if he’s etching this moment into his memory. “You and me forever, Caroline?”
I nod, tears brimming, and my heart swells at the conviction of his words. It’s a promise he’s made before, whispered in moments when the world felt infinite and bright. But now, with the sun setting behind him and the warmth of his voice threading between us, it feels more certain than ever.
I sway gently in his lap as he reaches to his side, fingers grasping the other blanket. My brows knit as I watch him rummage through its folds until his hand emerges, holding a small, red velvet box. My breath catches, my chest tightening as my gaze darts between his trembling hands and the glint of determination in his eyes.
“Silas…” I breathe, my voice faltering.
His hands, so sure in every other moment, now shake as hebrings the box between us. Slowly, he flicks it open to reveal a simple gold band, crowned with a single diamond that sparkles in the fading light. My hands fly to my chest as my heart surges.
He lets me bask in the moment before he speaks. “You and me forever. This life, the next, eternity. I want you in my home, by my side. I want you to have my babies, Caroline. I want to be tied to you in every way a man can be. Say you’ll marry me.”
Tears spill freely down my cheeks as I nod, unable to form words. I gather a shaky breath and finally manage, “Of course I’ll marry you, Silas.”
He exhales, the tension in his shoulders melting as relief washes over him. I hold out my trembling hand, and he slides the ring onto my finger with surprising tenderness, as though the moment itself might break if he moves too quickly.
“I thank God for you every day, Caroline. You’re my everything,” he says, his voice rough with the emotion he’s trying to hold back.
